Bellevue woman dies one day after crash

Man out on parole charged in collision

UPDATED 9:22 AM CDT Jun 10, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. -

A Lincoln man faces a manslaughter charge for allegedly causing a multi-vehicle crash that killed a woman in Omaha.

Omaha police said 28-year-old Jefferson D. Potter was driving a stolen pickup and lawn trailer at a high rate of speed on Friday, when he struck a vehicle at the intersection of Saddle Creek Road and Leavenworth Street.

Authorities said Jennifer E. Siemens, of Bellevue, was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle that was struck, and the impact pushed the vehicle for nearly a block. The pickup careened off that vehicle and struck a second vehicle, then crashed into a Jiffy Lube before hitting a fourth vehicle.

Siemens was hospitalized, but died on Saturday.

“It’s just a shame,” said Charlie Odorizzi. “It really is. Just a big, big-hearted person. I miss her.”

Siemens worked for and with Odorizzi at Next Mellenium Metaphysical Books and Gifts. He said Siemens was like a daughter to him and his wife.

“I honestly don’t know how we’re going to fill that position,” Odorizzi said. “I don’t mean the shipping clerk position, I mean the Jenn Siemens position of her just being there. It’s family.”

Odorizzi said Siemens was brilliant and incredibly funny. He said he was amazed at the show of support from more than 1,000 people who brought flowers or sent condolences.

“At 28-years-old, she really touched a lot of lives. And it doesn’t make what happened any better, but it’s kind of neat to know that she did have that impact on people and made a difference in the world,” he said.

Odorizzi said his heart goes out to Siemens’ parents and the rest of her family, especially the two young nephews who barely got a chance to know her.